Contractions!

MamaSquishyB

Started having what I think are contractions around 12:30.  They've been pretty consistently about 3 1/2 minutes apart, with some variance of 2 1/2 minutes to 4 minutes apart.  Some of them are painful, but mostly just stomach tightening and uncomfortable.  I'm having some low back pain as well as pelvic pain and pressure.  Feels like I seriously need to poop.  I've been laying down and drinking water for the past 20 minutes, but nothing's changed.  At 34 weeks, it's too early for me to be going into labor!  I'm scared.

noelani42

Have you called labor & delivery yet? I'd give them a quick call just to be sure

AnnaS930

Uhh yeah, if they're not letting up, it's time to give a call whether you're scared or not!  They're passing at least two of the three 5-1-1 rule, not sure how long each contraction is lasting but start dialing.  Not sure what time zone you're in actually.. here on the east coast that's 4 hours of this?

MamaSquishyB

Nope, I haven't.  The doctor told me at my last visit that if I think I'm in labor, just come in, don't bother calling.  I have t had my water break or anything, so I don't think there's much they can do for me.

noelani42

They can at least check you and give you an NST....you need to go in if you're not supposed to call...although I would call too if I were you

MamaSquishyB

AnnaS930 said:

Uhh yeah, if they're not letting up, it's time to give a call whether you're scared or not!  They're passing at least two of the three 5-1-1 rule, not sure how long each contraction is lasting but start dialing.  Not sure what time zone you're in actually.. here on the east coast that's 4 hours of this?

Yes, east coast.  And what's the 5-1-1 rule?

AnnaS930

Usually the sign to head to your birthing center. When contractions become 5 minutes apart (or less) and last for 1 minute each for a duration of an hour.

Some women wait for 4-1-1 or 3-1-1 meaning shorter times between contractions, but seems like you're already there. My advice is go to labor and delivery

kosmo86

I would call or go in ASAP. Not everyone's water breaks, some woman have to have it broken, does not necessarily mean you are or are not in labor. Sending positive vibes your way!! 

vampirina

Agreed with others - go to L&D!

MamaSquishyB

Contractions have been lasting for about 30-45 seconds each.  I moved to my right side a few minutes ago and they seem to be slowing down.... Last contraction was 6 minutes ago and counting.

AnnaS930

I think being 34 weeks makes it more urgent that you do go. If I went, my hospital doesn't have a NICU so I'd probably be sent another 35 minutes away.. so best to get there sooner rather than later. If your hospital does have a NICU, still important to get there soon

Sbrown721

Never hurts to call!

RG1

Sounds like you should head in to me!

Sporty1216

Yeah--i'd check in too, especially since you are only 34 weeks...

tinypikachu

Just go in, girl! Only 12% of women have their water break at home spontaneously. If they're not going away, go to L&D. There's tons they can do for you, from monitoring & NST to giving you something to try to stop labor to giving you a steroid shot for baby's lungs if need be, and, ultimately  (and hopefully not the case) just being in the right place is important if the labor doesn't rest. Go, go, go!

mamadomino

34 weeks is still pretty early. You need to call or go in. 

mrsvoorhees-2

Yep, definitely don't wait or expect your water to break, the majority of women have jt broken in the hospital. They will
check your dilation and see if you're progressing.

MamaSquishyB

Maybe a false alarm.  It's been 15 minutes since my last one.

AnnaS930

Ok. Well.. I think you got your advice where we all thought you should go in. 

For other mamas reading this, especially FTMs, if you get to the 5-1-1 stage, or 4-1-1 or whatever you discuss with your provider/in your birthing classes, you've seen the consensus here is to call L&D, or go in if that's their protocol!

RG1

AnnaS930 said:

Ok. Well.. I think you got your advice where we all thought you should go in. 

For other mamas reading this, especially FTMs, if you get to the 5-1-1 stage, or 4-1-1 or whatever you discuss with your provider/in your birthing classes, you've seen the consensus here is to call L&D, or go in if that's their protocol!

Am I the only one who is going to want to go to L&D at the first sign of a contraction ?!

mrsvoorhees-2

@RG1 haha I bet you won't. You'll spend at least 5-10 contractions saying, "oh shit....was that a contraction? No....no....wait...I think it was."

RG1

MrsVoorhees said:

@RG1 haha I bet you won't. You'll spend at least 5-10 contractions saying, "oh shit....was that a contraction? No....no....wait...I think it was."

Probably. And then I'll be like oh goooosh lets go! 

MamaSquishyB

Just got off the phone with the nurse.  Since they've slowed down (25 minutes since the last one), she said I can wait and monitor for another hour at home.  If they pick up again, I'll go straight in.

jenkar01

Know your contractions have stopped or it was a false alarm but next time go in. I am former NICU nurse and know moms who  waited when they should've gone in. If you go in and are in labor they can give you meds to help stop labor or find out if it really is labor or not. My sister in-law went into labor at 32 weeks and they were able to stop it with meds she could take at home. She made it until she was almost 38 weeks because she went in and got on the meds. Always better safe than sorry no matter how far along you are. Moms have preterm babies all the time unfortunately. Nothing you can do sometimes if you go into labor early except to go to the hospital and let them help you and do their jobs.

TheTamedShrew

You can read my false labor post. Mine weren't painful, but pretty consistent for awhile. Been having them off and on today too, but they don't hurt and haven't intensified or gotten closer together. Laying down and taking a bath helped. I think if I was 34 weeks and they weren't letting up that I would go in and get checked. Especially if they are painful like you say and you feel a lot of pelvic pressure. 

MamaSquishyB

They've picked back up.  We're on our way to L&D now.  Prayers, please!

RG1

Good idea going in. Good luck!

drmh22

Glad you're going in. Good luck!

Thscary

Good luck! Hopefully the contractions stop

KimmySchmidt

Good luck, glad you're going in! Hope they can help you out at the hospital!

tinypikachu

I'll be thinking of you! Keep us posted!

MojieJo

Good luck!  Hopefully it's a false alarm or they can be stopped!

noelani42

Keep us updated...praying for you!

JWarfield726

Good luck! Prayers for you!

rock1cherry

Good luck!

ajn092

Good luck! Sending positive thoughts to you and baby that they can stop the contractions. 

AnnaS930

Good luck!

UnwritteN12

Good luck! Hoping baby's ok and they're able to stop the contractions!

lark81-2

Thinking positive thoughts...Hopefully baby decides to stay put!

crispy11

Good luck!! Hope they stop again!!

MamaSquishyB

Finally on our way home.  I'm dilated to a 1, 40% effaced, baby at -3 station.  Also did a test that came back negative for preterm labor.  The contractions didn't get any better, but didn't get any worse either.  They monitored me for several hours and didn't dilate any more, so they're sending me home.  Thanks for the positive thoughts!